Grandmaster Jae C. Shin: the founder of the World Tang Soo Do Association, was one of the leading figures of martial arts in the world today.

Born in Korea in 1936, he began his long and distinguished career in martial arts at the age of twelve. During his childhood, an unknown monk initially inspired him with a strong desire to learn martial arts. Later, he joined Seoul Moo Duk Kwan central gym and began a serious study under Grandmaster Hwang Kee, a founder of the Korean Moo Duk Kwan system.

By the time he was 1st Dan, he had already started his teaching career as an assistant instructor at the central gym. After that chapter of his life, he taught at Korean University, Seoul Central YMCA, various colleges, and many police and military institutions. His many years of teaching experience and his extreme dedication have added to his scientific and unique methods of teaching Tang Soo Do. His six fields of expertise had included: self-defense, forms, breaking, weapons, health care, and meditation. He evolved these separate arts into one of the finest and most effective martial arts; The World Tang Soo Do system.

When he was recruited to the Korean Air Force in 1958, he had his first experience teaching American soldiers. After receiving his Master's degree in Political Science at Korea University, he came to the United States in order to extend his instruction of foreign students in 1968.

The year he came to the United States of America, Black Belt Magazine honored him and his legacy by devoting a full chapter to him in the book, "20th Century Warriors," which put him in the company of the most legendary martial arts figures in history.

Grandmaster Shin, one of the most respected and well known masters in this century, was one of few masters who devoted their entire lives to traditional martial arts. In addition to insisting on disciplined, rigorous training and exacting techniques, he always preached that the true value of martial arts training is in the application of everyday life. Having become an expert in child development, teaching children was one of his favorite pastimes.

Regardless of the time, his advice to his Black Belt instructors still stands true today: "When examining your abilities as an instructor, examine your young student's manners, attitudes, school reports and health conditions. Their improvements should mirror your own."

His three Mottos for leadership, for nearly 8,000 black belt members, is as follows:

Grandmaster Strong began his martial arts training in Tae Kwon Do through the Jhoon Rhee Institute in Austin, Texas when he was an undergraduate student.

He received his 1st Dan from the Alabama Karate Institute in 1974 and his 2nd Dan from the Kuk Ki Won in 1977, both in Tae Kwon Do. He achieved his 3rd and 4th Dan from the Korean Tang Soo Do Association, Moo Duk Kwan, Hwang Kee, President in 1981 and 1983 respectively.

In 1986, he joined the World Tang Soo Do Association and achieved 5th through 7th Dan promotions from Grandmaster Jae C. Shin and 8th Dan from Grandmaster Robert Beaudoin in 2014.

On April 1, 2017 at the 28th Annual Masters' Clinic, the Board of Directors voted to approve Grandmaster William Strong as the President of the World Tang Soo Do Association. He began the presidency on May 15, 2017. In this position, he is responsible for numerous administrative duties for the Association and the WTSDA Foundation including general headquarters office policy, studio/club approval, coordination of travel for the two Grandmasters, Dan promotions, financial reporting, legal issues, Board meetings, and World Championships. He is also responsible for diplomatic issues, organizing publications, and sanctioning WTSDA events.